Housing and Residential Life Agreement

1. When a student signs a housing agreement for on-campus housing accommodations, the student agrees to respect and adhere to all policies and regulations pertaining to University housing as outlined in this document and any other document containing University housing rules and regulations including - but not limited to - the University's Student Bulletin, the Housing Agreement and affiliated addendums, Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, and other Department of Housing and Residential Life publications.

2. Each student is responsible for knowing these regulations and conducting themselves accordingly. Students who do not adhere to the University policies and regulations, as specified in the aforementioned publications, may be subject to disciplinary action that may include expulsion and/or the immediate termination of their housing agreement.

3. Student residents are responsible for rule violations occurring in their respective rooms and suite/apartment common areas and may be subject to disciplinary action for such violations.

4. The University reserves the right to refuse to enter into any agreement for University housing accommodations with any student.

5. Where the health, safety or academic environment may be compromised, the University reserves the right to make changes such as room changes and reassignment(s) to other residential areas or the termination of residency. Students who are charged with a violation of regulations may also be temporarily moved pending adjudication of charges.

Residency Requirements

1. All single first-year freshmen students are required to live in the University housing for at least two academic semesters. All single students who have earned less than 30 credit hours and have not resided in University housing for two academic semesters are required to live on campus for two academic semesters. This policy does not apply to single freshmen men and women who have been out of high school for more than one year, or to single freshmen men and women who live with their parents in the Miami area. Neither does it apply to those students who, for disciplinary or administrative reasons, may be denied the privilege of continued residence on campus.

2. Undergraduate students residing in University housing must be regularly enrolled students of the Day Division of the University, taking a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester. Graduate students (when housed) must carry a minimum of nine credit hours per semester.

Occupancy

1. Occupancy begins when the student signs for keys to their assigned University housing accommodations. Occupancy of a room is limited to a properly assigned resident and to the period for which the housing fee has been paid.

2. Residents are not permitted to sublease space to another.

3. No student is permitted to enter another student's room or apartment without permission from the occupant.

4. Students may not change or exchange rooms without prior approval from the Department of Housing and Residential Life Office.

5. Questions regarding occupancy should be directed to the Department of Housing and Residential Life.

Inspections
The University reserves the right to inspect rooms at any time. Such checks include but are not limited to those made to inspect for the presence of unauthorized persons, damages, verify residency, repair facilities, health and safety, and compliance with University and Department of Housing and Residential Life regulations as well as public laws.

Overnight Guests
An overnight guest is considered to be a visitor utilizing the room of a resident student as a place of lodging.

1. A resident is permitted to have overnight guests of the same gender only with express permission of each of his or her roommate(s) for a maximum period of five days per semester. These five days may not be consecutive.

2. Residents are not permitted to have overnight guests during vacation periods (with the exception of Thanksgiving vacation and Spring Break), registration periods, exam periods, or other periods when formal classes are not in session.

3. The number of overnight guests permitted in any residence must not exceed the number of University beds in the room or apartment.

4. The resident accepts full responsibility for his/her overnight guest(s).

5. Department of Housing and Residential Life staff reserves the right to ask any guest to vacate the premises at any time.

6. The Area Director is authorized to impose an administrative charge upon the student/resident of a residence of $100 per night for each illegal overnight guest when it is determined that a resident has violated the policy for overnight guests. The illegal overnight guest charge may be appealed to the Director of Housing and Residential Life.

Care of Rooms and Facilities

1. It is expected that all residents will maintain reasonable standards of cleanliness in their room/apartment, and that rooms will be kept clear of trash and waste. Other conditions that contribute to substandard health and safety of the residents and that necessitate subsequent maintenance attention may subject the student to disciplinary action.

2. Each resident is responsible for the University property and furnishings in his or her room or apartment.

3. Alterations of the physical structure or property of the residence halls by students is not permitted without the written authorization of the Department of Housing and Residential Life.

4. Placing mattresses on the floor is not permitted.

5. Objects may not be placed on windowsills or ledges.

6. Student residents are responsible for rule violations that occur in their respective rooms and suite/apartment common areas, and may be subject to disciplinary action for such violations.

Decorations

1. Residential College Rooms/Apartments
   While there is opportunity for students to express individuality in decorating their rooms, all residents are expected to follow these guidelines at all times:

   1. Combustible materials are prohibited such as: straw, hay, palm fronds, cane reeds, vines, branches, leaves, and Spanish moss.

   2. The use of adhesive substances such as contact paper, glue, or decals on walls, ceilings, floors, doors, or furnishings may result in damage to existing surfaces and is therefore prohibited. Items such as sheets, flags, tapestries, fish nets, beads and parachutes may not be suspended overhead in students' rooms, entrance ways or hallways. Hammocks and other suspended chairs are also prohibited.

   3. Students assigned to a University residence are responsible for any decorations that alter, ruin, or otherwise damage University property within that residence. Students are prohibited from painting any part of their rooms, doors, entrance ways, or hallways.

   4. Students may provide their own refrigerator as long as it operates on no more than 1.5 amperes and 175 watts. Microwaves may not exceed 900 watts.

2. Public Areas
   All regulations pertaining to room decorations also apply to public areas of University housing. Students must receive permission from the Area Director before decorating public areas.

Electrical Appliances
In order to comply with county and municipal fire and safety regulations, the following restrictions have been imposed:

1. Barbecue grills and other cooking utensils shall not be used or kept on balconies, terraces, bathrooms, lobbies, porches, stairwells, or in sleeping rooms.

2. Coffee pots, hot pots and popcorn poppers with encased heating units are permitted. They may be used only for the express purpose of heating liquids. Popcorn poppers may only be used for the purpose of making popcorn. All open coil appliances including toaster ovens and portable burners are prohibited in addition to George Foreman-type grills.

3. Electrical extension cords are not permitted. Residents should utilize power strips that monitor the flow of electricity (such as models made by Tripp-Lite or GoldX) for their appliances and electronic devices. (120 volt, U.L. approved; built-in manual reset; 15-amp circuit breaker; maximum length of cord six (6) feet; maximum six (6) outlets at end of cord)

4. Multi-outlet electrical plugs that are attachable to a permanent outlet are also prohibited. All electrical appliances must be attached directly to a permanent outlet or onto a power strip as noted in 3 above.

5. The possession or use of gasoline or flammable petroleum products and canned heat units within University housing living units is prohibited.

6. Cooking is not permitted in student rooms except for the use of coffee pots, popcorn poppers, microwave ovens and hot pots (all four with encased heating units). Cooking is permitted only in Department of Housing and Residential Life-designated student kitchen areas and University Village apartment kitchens.

7. Installed window fans and air conditioning units within University housing living units is prohibited.

8. Drums and electrically amplified musical instruments, including microphones, may not be used in student rooms/apartments.

9. Refrigerators other than those meeting Department of Housing and Residential Life specifications are prohibited.

10. The structural makeup of University Village apartments allow for wide latitude in respect to food and the use of electrical appliances for cooking. Students in the apartments are permitted to use cooking appliances which do not exceed 7.5 amps or 1,400 watts. Students are advised to use caution with such items and be mindful not to allow amperage or wattage to exceed a particular circuit's capacity.

11. If a resident violates any of the above policies, Department of Housing and Residential Life staff have the right to confiscate such items, which may be held indefinitely. Confiscated items will be returned when the owner signs a release form at the reception desk.

12. Motorcycles, motor scooters, motor bikes and petroleum powered all-terrain vehicles are prohibited in all University housing areas.

13. The possession or use of candles or incense within a student room or apartment is prohibited.

Damage to University Property
Charges may be assessed against any individual responsible for damaging University or personal property. If the individual responsible for damages, over and above normal wear and tear cannot be identified, then the student(s) assigned to the damaged room when the damage occurred will be assessed equally. Students are not permitted to repair damaged University property. All damaged University property must be reported to the appropriate residential area reception desk, which will make arrangements for necessary repairs, and assess charges when appropriate.

Locks and Keys
All locks and keys are the property of the University and are not to be repaired, changed, or duplicated except by University maintenance personnel. Residents are not to borrow keys from other residents nor lend keys to anyone. If a student's key is lost or stolen, or if for any other reason a student wishes to have his/her lock changed, he/she will be responsible for the cost of re-keying the room/apartment.

Telephone Responsibilities

1. Where telephone access is provided, students must provide their own telephone. Each telephone must meet the following specifications:

   1. Telephones must be FCC Registered.

   2. Telephones must have a "Ringer Equivalency Number" (sometimes designated as REN) of 1.0A.

   3. Telephones must be touch-tone. Additional telephone options such as speakerphones and answering machines must also adhere to the specifications.

   4. Students will be responsible for the cost of any repairs to University property that are a result of telephone equipment that does not comply with the specifications listed above.

2. Students are responsible for the payment of any and all long distance calls made from the telephone in their assigned residence and any and all unauthorized charges made in other University housing areas.

3. Anyone found to be making fraudulent telephone calls may be subject to disciplinary action by the University of Miami and/or legal action by the telephone company under federal and state statutes.

4. Third party number billing and acceptance of collect calls in University housing is prohibited. Such actions could result in the complete disconnection of the telephone service, University disciplinary action, and possible prosecution under federal and state statutes.

Quiet Hours
Reasonable quiet is expected at all times in all areas of University housing.

1. In cases where residents violate the quiet hours of a floor/apartment area, the University reserves the right to make room changes or terminate residency.

2. No drums or electrically amplified musical instruments, including microphones, may be used in student rooms/apartments.

3. Music of any type may not be directed or broadcasted outside of rooms/apartments.

Restricted Areas/Special Living Areas

1. Students are not permitted in mechanical, electrical or other utility spaces or on window ledges or the roofs of any University buildings.

2. In cases where special living areas have been designated, the policies and regulations governing these specific areas will be outlined and distributed by the Department of Housing and Residential Life Office. Unless specifically stated, all policies in this guide shall apply to these special living areas.

Bicycles
Bicycles may only be stored in student rooms or exterior bicycle racks. Bicycles stored illegally may be confiscated by authorized University personnel, and disciplinary action taken. Bicycles may not be ridden inside University buildings.

Skateboarding, Roller Skating, Rollerblading, and Use of Scooters
Skateboarding, roller skating, rollerblading, and the use of scooters is prohibited in University housing lobby area, hallways, rooms/apartments, lounges, pedestrian areas adjacent to the residential areas, and other indoor public areas. Violation may result in confiscation of the skateboard, roller skates, roller blades, or scooter and disciplinary action.

Department of Housing and Residential Life/University Property
Department of Housing and Residential Life/University property may not be removed from University housing or from the public areas without written authorization from an authorized Department of Housing and Residential Life staff member. Students missing assigned property or found with furnishings from the public areas of the University in their rooms/apartments are subject to replacement cost, moving charges, and disciplinary action.

Waterbeds, Water Furniture, Hot Tubs, and Spas
Waterbeds, water furniture, hot tubs, and spas are prohibited in all areas inside and outside University housing.

Contraband Items
In the event any item that is prohibited by University regulation or state or local laws is discovered in a University housing room/apartment, all residents assigned to that room/apartment where the contraband is found may be considered in possession of the item(s) for disciplinary reasons.

Poster Policy
Posters may be placed on bulletin boards only and attached by thumbtacks. No other means of attachment is permitted.

1. No posters are allowed on windows, doors, walls, or any other unspecified surfaces.

2. Posters must be removed no later than one day after the event that is advertised on that poster.

3. Students wishing to hang a poster must have prior approval from the Residence Coordinator or his or her designee responsible for the residential area where the poster will be posted.

4. For additional guidelines regarding posters, please refer to the Poster Policy section of the Student's Right and Responsibilities Handbook.

Windows and Exteriors of Residential Buildings
No object or material may be placed in, on, or hung from, in front of, or behind windows which block transparency or alters the appearance of the windows or the exterior of the building. Also, no object (i.e., signs, banners, aluminum foil, towels, sheets, ropes, wires, etc.) may be placed on the exterior of the building. Exceptions to this regulation may only be made by the Department of Housing and Residential Life Office and must be in writing.

Distribution of Materials
No materials may be distributed under, on, against, or in front of doors to student rooms/apartment in University housing. Exceptions to this regulation may be made by the Residence Coordinator of the area building, and must be in writing.

Hall Sports
Residents may not engage in any sport or sport related activities within University housing rooms/apartments, lounges, hallways, stairwells, or other public areas. Sports or sports related activities include, but are not limited to: Frisbee, floor hockey, golf, bowling, football, soccer, baseball, and basketball. Also, students may not use water pistols, super soakers, or any other mechanism that projects water in the above-mentioned areas.

Emergency Powers
In the event that the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee reasonably believes that there is a clear and present danger to the health and/or safety of any person or persons as a result of conditions or events on or originating from the campus of the University of Miami, it shall be within the discretion of that official to invoke emergency powers and waive the delineated procedures, duties, and rights associated with search and seizure and to authorize a controlled and orderly search of the University of Miami campus and/or any unit thereof by authorized agent of the University of Miami. Any and all evidence resulting from the search and procedure shall be considered admissible for any and all University discipline and prosecutorial purposes. General Visitation Policies, Rights and Responsibilities

Administrative Search and Seizure
In the event that there are facts and circumstances that lead a reasonable person to believe that contraband items or unauthorized persons are located in a room, suite, or apartment, professional staff members from the Department of Housing & Residential Life and/or the Dean of Students Office have the right to initiate the Administrative Search and Seizure process. During an administrative search the possessions of all residents residing in the room, suite or apartment and all individuals present in the room, suite or apartment will be searched.

Guests
In order to ensure adequate security in University housing, students and guests may be required to present identification upon request. Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., students and their guests must present picture identification and must sign in with the security assistant. Refusal to present identification may result in denial of admittance to University housing.